How to Stand Out as an Employer at a Recruitment Event

Any company can attend a networking event, but only the best employers will successfully recruit and hire.

There’s much advice circulating on how talent can stand out in today’s especially competitive job market. On the flipside however, employers also need to stand out in today’s ongoing war for talent. How can you attract the right talent at a real-life event like Hustle Summit? How do you get potential candidates excited to meet you? With the shifting conversation on the draws of an independent vs. corporate career, hot startups cropping up left and right, and a growing demand amongst professionals for challenging yet meaningful work, employers must be strategic with their employer branding. Here are some ways to stand out from the employer crowd at any event:

Engage on social

Just as it’s important and encouraged for today’s talent to be well-versed in social media, employers should also have an active presence on the digital landscape. Let attendees know you will be at the event via social media to get them excited and prepared to meet you. But don’t just be responsive, be engaging (like Jimmy Fallon)! Before and during the event, post engaging content like pictures and videos (Boomerang from Instagram is great for this), that encourages likes, retweets and sharing. Also don’t be afraid to start a conversation and ask questions! Your choice(s) of platforms are up to your discretion, but we recommend having the basics covered: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Another fun way to attract fresh talent is Snapchat. About three-quarters of Snapchat’s audience is 18+, with the bulk age ranging from 18-34 (Social Examiner). Daily views for video rival that of Facebook’s, and millennial user numbers are swiftly catching up to Instagram. So, whether you’re actively recruiting, building pipeline, or crafting a lustworthy brand, Snapchat is a strong platform to consider. Snapchat also happens to be a speciality of ours. Check out our Snapchat guide for in-depth tips and how FindSpark & MCG Social can support your social game via Snapchat. Bonus points: if you know who DJ Khaled is, and his phrases that have become part of the everyday colloquial.

Bring enough people

Bring people power! Networking events can be long, and require high energy and excitement from your team to keep attendees interested. Coming with a team allows for the option to do shifts, and helps sustain positive energy throughout the day. Representing different departments, or specializing in different interests allows for dynamic conversation and a natural referral process between you and your colleagues.

Have cool swag

Let’s be honest, everyone loves free stuff. From pens to laptop stickers, tote bags and notebooks, the swag opportunities are endless. Quality matters here— are your stickers well-designed, perhaps textured? Do your pens write well? Is your swag unique to your company? Rather than having several, lesser-quality items, we recommend doing a few things well. Feel free to get creative! Be sure to include your logo and even a hashtag to make it more fun. Let the quality of your brand continue to speak through your takeaways, extending the reach of your company beyond this singular event. Basically, you want to be sure your logo goes home with attendees. Our partner & sponsor, Arrow Promotional, is a fantastic resource for all swag and gifts for your company or organization. They get the importance of quality, and encourage creativity, easily customizing stock items or creating unique pieces inspired by your imagination. The swag can also be used for orientation for your new hires!

Make everyone an ambassador

First impressions matter, from both the employee and employer perspective— we’re all people, after all. At a networking event, you’re going to speak to a lot of people. They might not all be the best fit for the company, but that’s alright! You can still inspire an advocate for your brand. Word of mouth is so important, so make sure every single person who visits your table leaves with a good impression. Let them know of your unique culture, silly quirks, Bagel Wednesdays, how management looks out for employee well-being, your amazing team summer retreats to the Adirondacks. Our social networks are so powerful. This is a golden opportunity to connect with someone who, even if not be quite the right fit, may be able to refer an excellent candidate for your team. Six degrees of separation, amirite?

Share insider tips

Events like Hustle Summit are an excellent way to quickly gage, is this someone I’d want to work and spend hours a day with? In addition to telling candidates about your company and the positions you are hiring for, be generous and share the inside scoop on getting hired. Especially for those who could be the perfect fit, advise how to stand out in their cover letter and interview. That person will leave feeling bubbly with the potential of opportunity, and a positive perception that team members at your company support each other. This will lead to more quality applications and a smooth, quick hiring process.

This article was written by Haemee C. Kang in collaboration with Arrow Promotional for our partner, FindSpark. This post originally appeared on their website on September 16, 2016, titled “How to Stand Out as an Employer at an Event.”

Want to reach and recruit top millennial talent? Learn more about how FindSpark can support your diversity, employer branding and recruitment initiatives: findspark.com/employers and don’t miss their Hustle Su​mmit on Friday, July 21st in NYC and on Thursday, July 27th in Chicago.